Golcar

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Coordinates: 53°38′16″N 1°50′45″W / 53.6378°N 1.8457°W / 53.6378; -1.8457
Golcar

Golcar Village
Golcar

 Golcar shown within West Yorkshire
Population 17,000 (2001)[1]
OS grid reference SE1020015735
District Kirklees
Shire county West Yorkshire
Region Yorkshire and the Humber
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town HUDDERSFIELD
Postcode district HD7
Dialling code 01484
Police West Yorkshire
Fire West Yorkshire
Ambulance Yorkshire
EU Parliament Yorkshire and the Humber
UK Parliament Colne Valley
List of places
UK
England
Yorkshire

Golcar (pronounced 'Goker' or 'Golker': the 'L' is silent in local pronunciation) is a village located on a hillside crest above the Colne Valley in West Yorkshire, England, 2.5 miles (4 km) west of Huddersfield, and just north of the River Colne and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. The main access route is from the A62 (Manchester Road), through Milnsbridge in the bottom of the valley or via Scapegoat Hill from the A640 (New Hey Road) at the top of the hill.

When it was a Township, Golcar consisted of Bolster Moor, Golcar, Leymoor, Pole Moor, Scapegoat Hill and Town End.

History

Golcar is a relatively small village, but it has a long history. Named after St Guthlac, who preached in the area during the 8th century, its name is recorded in the Domesday Book as Goullakarres. During the Industrial Revolution Golcar became an important centre for weaving. Internationally renowned pharmacologist James Burrows grew up in the area.

Colne Valley Museum

Main article: Colne Valley Museum
Colne Valley Museum

Three former 1840s weavers' cottages were converted, in 1970, into the Colne Valley Museum. The museum features several restored period rooms which are used to show temporary exhibitions. The museum was further extended in 2008 following the purchase of the adjoining former fish and chip shop.

Exhibits include a handloom and a spinning jenny, invented by James Hargreaves. In the loom chamber, spinning room, weavers sitting room and 'gas-lit' cloggers shop, the volunteer helpers give regular demonstrations of the type of crafts that would have existed during the nineteenth century.

The museum is run entirely by voluntary members and is open at weekends and on bank holidays. Various craft and working weekends are held through the year.[2]

Community facilities

Golcar supports two Scout Groups:- the 4th Golcar Scout Group, which was founded in 1951[3] and the 39th Parkwood Scout Group, founded in 1908.

The village has several sporting teams including the village football and cricket teams.

There are several churches including the Anglican Parish Church of St John the Evangelist. St John's which opened in 1829 [4] is a good example of a Waterloo church and Golcar Baptist Church (), founded in 1835.

Each year in early May the village hosts the Golcar Lily Day.

Golcar Brass Band () was reformed in 1977 and Currently practises at the Baptist Church on a Monday Night.

Schools

  • Golcar Junior, Infant & Nursery School, Manor Rd, Golcar, Huddersfield, HD7 4QE.
  • St. John's C of E Junior & Infant School, Leymoor Rd, Golcar, Huddersfield, HD7 4QQ.
  • Beech Early Years Infant & Junior School, Beech Avenue, Golcar, Huddersfield, HD7 4BE.
  • Wellhouse Junior & Infant School, Lower Wellhouse, Golcar, Huddersfield, HD7 4ES.
  • Clough Head Junior & Infant School, Bolster Moor Rd, Golcar, Huddersfield, HD7 4JU.
  • Scapegoat Hill Junior & Infant School, School Rd, Scapegoat Hill, Golcar, Huddersfield, HD7 4NU.

References

  1. ↑ www.kirklees.gov.uk
  2. ↑ Colne Valley Museum entry on Culture24. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  3. ↑ 4th Golcar Scout Group
  4. ↑ The History of the Colne Valley, D.F.E. Sykes,1906. p187

Image gallery

  • View of Golcar from Pike Law Road

  • View of Bolster Moor from Pike Law Road

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